All terrain vehicle riders got a foot in the door last week, but still have a ways to go before they can put wheels on Cayuga County-owned trails.

A law passed by the county Legislature makes the long-sought opening of county trails to ATVs possible.

However, it will be up to lawmakers to separately determine if and how roughly 20 miles of trails in northern Cayuga County may be used.

“There's no intention of doing that right now,” said county Parks Director Gary Duckett, who worked about a year drafting the law and ATV provision. “I wanted to include (the law) so if we ever do decide we want to do something in that area, we can.”

The law adopted this week essentially repealed a measure splitting oversight of park lands in the town of Sterling with a defunct committee and placed sole responsibility on the county. In redrafting the legislation, a section was added that would allow legislators to open up county trails and set parameters at their discretion.

Before the vote, Legislator Paul Dudley, R-Cato, called a meeting with ATV club members and government leaders from northern Cayuga County communities to talk about the possibility.

“I believe that county property should be used by as many people as possible,” Dudley said.

But, he also understands those who would be against ATV use. Rural landowners fear riders cutting loose on crop fields or just creating noise, dust and trail deterioration.

Snowmobilers have enjoyed a different level of tolerance because of state-sponsored liability insurance, a statewide trail system and the natural benefit of lower impact.

“Quite frankly I get more complaints about motorcycles and ATVs on the trails than any other,” said Duckett, himself an ATV owner.

Snowmobiles create noise, but in the winter, windows are generally closed. In spring, ATVs can also damage wet trails.

“It's a real and legitimate concern,” Duckett said.

Dudley has suggested allowing ATVs on county trails during the driest months. Those type of restrictions would be expected at first.

“It's moving in the right direction,” said Jim Marra, president of the Oswego County ATV Club.

He hopes that direction is west to Wayne County where the 220 members of his club can connect to public trails there.

Likewise, Corbin “Barry” LaVoy of the 280-member All County ATV Club in Savannah would like to connect with Oswego trails. But more than anything else, LaVoy and many other enthusiasts are looking for a place to ride.

“Something's got to happen,” LaVoy said.

The New York State Off-Highway Vehicle Association, the ATV lobbying group, is working on that.

“The overall goal here is to give these ATVers a place to go,” NYSORVA spokesman Bob Ski said. “A loop in the woods will not suffice the riding community and stop illegal riding from happening.”

There's a good deal of economic potential as well. Snowmobilers bring an estimated $850 million into the state each year, Ski said. In 2006, ATVs outnumbered snowmobile registrations by about 20,000.

“And the season is twice as long,” Ski said. “These people spend an awful lot of money to do what they love.”

Many go to Pennsylvania, Virginia and Canada, though, he said. In New York, rural Lewis County has become a destination because of its growing trail system.

“There's approximately 40 strong, organized clubs throughout New York state, most of these clubs have riding trails,” Ski said. “As these trail systems continue to grow ... they can build toward each other and eventually create a statewide system.”

For a long time, his wheels were spinning, but a major surge in the sport's popularity and a recent reorganization of NYSORVA are changing that.

“What has been accomplished over the last six months are some pretty substantial leaps and bounds,” Ski said.

The association went from a few-thousand-dollar budget and a handful of volunteers to a director-based model with nine-member board representing specific regions.

“There's a long way to go,” he said. “To this point, this group's been ignored in terms of legislation.”

“A lot of that stems from the fact that the ATV community has not traditionally worked together,” Ski said.

The first goal of making affordable liability insurance available to clubs has been accomplished. The issue of liability is often a major roadblock in obtaining easements on private land.

In Cayuga County, there may be other problems. In addition to political resistance, some grants that have already been awarded to improve the Cato-Brutus and Cato-Fair Haven trails might be applicable for trails that allow ATVs.

“If the climate changes to the point it could be workable, then it's possible,” Duckett said.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net

On the Net

New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association: www.nysorva.org

All County ATV Club: www.allcountyatv.net